This week has been a busy one, mostly focusing on dance as Sophie has been competing in two different dance festivals as well as performing in Made in Dagenham. It was lovely watching her performing on stage with her friends and dancing beautifully at the festivals.
As well as her solo dances in both festivals, she also had three duets and a trio in the first festival. I loved seeing her new musical theatre duet being danced on stage in costume for the first time – both Sophie and her duet partner performed so well. It did also mean though that she had two dances in the same section (with two different duet partners) which meant a quick costume change!
I had fun making prickles for the hedgehog costumes for Sophie’s musical theatre trio (‘The Hedgehog’s Nightmare’ from The Wind in the Willows). I wasn’t quite sure how well they would work but I was pleased with the overall effect and the girls came away with a silver medal which was lovely too.
We took cupcakes and pastries in for Sophie to share with her dance friends on Monday as part of giving joy for Jessica. Thankfully she only had dances in the morning so we were able to have time focusing on Jessica in the afternoon.
One of the nicest things about the most recent festival was bumping into other people that we know from elsewhere. Sophie saw a couple of girls that she has performed with in different shows and I bumped into one of the heart mums that I first met during one of Jessica’s early hospital stays.
We have a little break from festivals for a few weeks now, but the focus on dance will be continuing over the next few weeks as Sophie’s dance school prepares for their first ever dance show at the end of next month.
Emotionally, it’s been quite an intense week. It’s been good in some ways to have a busy week and be distracted, but sometimes not allowing enough space makes the grief-bursts more intense when they come and that’s definitely been the case. I’ve been very up and down emotionally this week with the joys of watching Sophie perform, and the crashing lows of grief and dealing with other things that are going on as well. Thomas also seems to be quite sensitive to my emotions so we’ve had some big emotions from him this week too.
What I’ve been grateful for this week:
- Day 101 – I am grateful for having my mum come up and stay.
- Day 102 – I am grateful for a fun show week and for getting to see Sophie and her friends doing an amazing job performing in Made in Dagenham.
- Day 103 – I am grateful that Sophie didn’t need to be at the dance festival until the afternoon and could sleep in this morning.
- Day 104 – I am grateful for everyone who has remembered Jessica with love today.
- Day 105 – I am grateful for the joy of watching Sophie dance and express herself through dance. First time moving up into the next age bracket today and a 3rd place for her beautifully moving lyrical solo sharing her and Jessica’s story plus 1st place for character.
- Day 106 – I am grateful for lovely feedback and a silver medal for Sophie’s tap solo.
- Day 107 – I am grateful for a fun day out at Legoland.
Other things that have made me smile this week:
- Having my mum around to help with Thomas while I was busy at the dance festival and show.
- My lovely new phone case.
- Thomas’s excitement at losing one of his top teeth and having a visit from the tooth fairy.
Joining in with Raisie Bay for Word of the Week.
You must be really proud of Rosie for doing so well in dance. Congrats to her on the silver medal placement. I think she is going to continue to do brilliantly in several areas of life.
I think it’s fantastic that Sophie enjoys dancing so much; she always looks so joyful. Well done on all her achievements this week.
I hope Thomas enjoyed his visit from the Tooth Fairy.
It sounds like you’ve had a very mixed week emotionally, and I hope you can find some peaceful moments this weekend for your grief.
Sophie has been busy with her dancing! It sounds like she has done really well, you must be so proud! I love the hedgehog costume, how cute!
Sending love and hugs. It sounds like a rough week on your emotions. x
Well done to Sophie for her amazing results. The costumes look brilliant. Cute that Thomas has lost a top tooth. Sounds like a busy week, hope you’ve been able to find some quieter reflective moments you need.
I hate making the kids costumes – the hedgehog looks fab – I normal enrol the help of a talented friend LOL. Well done Sophie and I love the new phone case
I’m glad that Sophie’s dancing has helped to focus your grief. She’s one talented little girl. And how exciting for Thomas getting a visit from the tooth fairy.
Our granddaughter has had a visit from the tooth fairy this week, thankfully not for the tooth I knocked with my hand and loosened, I apparently owe her for that one when it comes out, according to her mum lol. How much does the tooth fairy pay in your house? Sophie sure does look like she loves her dancing and performing, she looks so elegant and professional on stage. It was a tough week for you, marking the time with Jessica, I’m glad you had your mum with you x
Thanks Suzanne. It helped a lot having my mum here. Our tooth fairy leaves a pound coin.
Sophie is a champ! So many performaces in one week! That is amazing. She looks so graceful. The costumes are lovely.
Big hugs to you all for the emotionally charged week. Glad your Mum could be there for you and support you when you need it.
So cute that Thomas is excited about the tooth fairy.
Well done to Sophie! a very talented young lady 🙂 My tooth fairy days are gone now but I do remember the excitement. Mums are the best aren’t they 🙂